The Impact of Meditation in Community - Flipbook - Page 2
A two-page synopsis
We live in difficult times. Stress, anxiety and loneliness afflict the lives of too many.
Every day, our screens show violent conflict, political polarisation and ecological
degradation on a grand scale. No wonder we are so distracted. People are less likely than
ever to feel aligned to a faith group, identify as religious or belong to a community.
“My heart was deafened by the din of my mind" said St. Augustine. He points
to the habitual stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, each other and God which veil
the Sacred and create a sense that we are separate from the Ground of our being.
Our purpose is to teach meditation from the Christian tradition as a path to peace,
community and oneness. Our first impact study was carried out in 2024 with support
from a research student at the University of Derby. This paper sets out the headlines.
When people initially signed up to the online practice community we host, the
majority were seeking a deeper connection to God/the Divine or more inner peace
- often as an antidote to the stress of life. Regardless of their specific reason,
99% of participants in our study said what they have found here has helped them.
Many benefits resulting from the practice were described. One of the most important
insights was that participants who report having a 8different relationship with their
thoughts and feelings9, 8greater inner peace9 and a 8deeper relationship with God9 rate
much more highly on all the personal and social impact measures assessed.
Why? Becoming a witness to our thoughts and feelings rather than identifying with them
allows us to loosen our reactive mental grip on the content of our mind. This gives us the
freedom to relate to the circumstances of our life from a place of greater peace,
compassion and connection. Gradually, we begin to see things as they really are – Sacred.
The many reflections people shared affirm that the growing online practice community is
greatly valued. People frequently commented on the simplicity of the teaching and the
practice, as well as its accessibility (being online and free). Companionship on the
spiritual path, which the group provides, has been an unexpected gift to many. Thank
you for helping build this unique community that is transforming lives.
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